The Role of Pharmacists in Safe Opioid Dispensing

Abstract

Opioid misuse, abuse, and diversion continues to be a public health issue. Pharmacists (particularly those who work in the community setting) form the vanguard of health-care providers facing the opioid crisis because they have the opportunity to interact with patients more frequently than primary care or specialty medical providers. These frequent interactions give pharmacists more opportunities to properly counsel patients on prevention and to reinforce appropriate use of opioid medications. Pharmacists should be aware of the strategies for reducing opioid misuse, abuse, and diversion, including understanding mandates on prescription limitations; knowing how to use prescription drug monitoring programs; knowing when drug take-back programs are occurring; educating patients on the risks of opioid abuse, safe storage, and proper disposal of unused medications; identifying “red flag” behavior that may indicate opioid misuse; using assessments that help identify a patient’s risk for opioid abuse; interacting with other health-care professionals to discuss a patient’s care; understanding how abuse-deterrent opioids work and their limitations; preparing for opioid overdose management and understanding the local regulations on naloxone availability; and knowing when to refer patients to addiction services. Using these strategies, pharmacists have an opportunity to potentially reduce opioid abuse and improve patient outcomes.

Optimizing Opioid Abuse Prevention Strategies: Role of Pharmacist in Safe Dispensing

“…The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) created a programme that holds events twice a year to raise awareness about proper prescription disposal and provide a place for proper disposal [18]. They will designate a specific day as "drug-take-back day," and DEAauthorized collectors will collect unused, unwanted, or expired prescriptions from the general public on that day.…”

“…Pharmacists should be aware of places where patients can conveniently dispose of their expired prescriptions and should advise patients on how to properly dispose of their medications. To locate a nearby drug disposal facility, pharmacists can contact their local law enforcement officers or the DEA [18].…”

“…If no designated recycling sites are open, pharmacists should advise patients on how to properly dispose of expired drugs in the household garbage, which involves combining medicines with soil, cat litter, or used coffee grounds and putting the mixture in a sealed jar or plastic bag to be discarded. Pharmacists are advised to refer patients to their local health departments for more details on safe drug disposal if are regional standards for proper medication disposal [18].…”

“…The dangers of opioid dependence, misuse, and diversion, which involve respiratory distress and death, should be discussed with patients. Patients should be told to take their drugs exactly as directed and should be warned of the dangers of not doing so [18]. Although some attempts to develop curricula and training materials for pharmacists to effectively practice with those who use substances have been made in the past [20].…”

“…Although some attempts to develop curricula and training materials for pharmacists to effectively practice with those who use substances have been made in the past [20]. The direct, responsible provision of medication-related treatment with the aim of achieving definite results that enhance a patient's quality of life is the goal of pharmacy education and training [18].…”